Mixing, kneading, shredding, pulping, and like machine



Nov. 20, 1945. J, E POINTON 2,389,545

MIXING, KNEADING, SHREDDING, PULPING, AND LIKE MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jzz/v an $01 Polka 6010 T945 I J. E. POINTON v 2,389,345

MIXING, KNEADING, SHREDDING, PULPING, AND LIKE MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 20, 1945 MDKING ,,G, SHREDDING, PUEPING,

LIKE MACHINE John Edward; Rointon, Peterborough, England, .assignor to Baker Perkins Limited, Peter borough, England,

Application February 7, 1944, Serial No. 521,469- 'In Great Britain January 28,1943

v 3 Claims.

This invention relatesto machines for mixing, kneading, shredding; pulping or theli'ke, of the typewherein a pairof bladed elementsis mounted to rotate on parallel axes in a casing comprising apair of arcuate troughs separated by a saddle piece or co-operative edge, each-element being provided with blades extending" continuously across the transverse medial plane (which may be conveniently referred to hereinafter as the middle plane) of the element or trough and towards theends of the trough.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved bladed element such that the operative blade length of the element is increased with a view to affording a greater output as compared with-that of known machines, without increasing or significantly increasing the amount of power required for the operation of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to increase the smoothness of" action of the machine sothata better balanceis-effected-and local fluctuations in loading are avoided.

The invention: consists ina bladed element having a plurality of blades arranged in pairs which are shaped and adapted alternately to disperse and collect or condense the material treated respectively towards the ends of the trough and towards the middle plane thereof. Each of the dispersing pair of blades is preferably continuous over the middle plane and has clearances at its ends with respect to the ends of the trough while the other spair of blades is continuous from the ends of the trough but interrupted to provide a clearance towards the said middle plane to provide in each case for the disposal or passage of axially displaced material.

In the preferred form each bladed element has a plurality of blades arranged in two pairs each member of one pair comprising a continuous blade terminating short of the ends of the trough andhaving portions of opposite inclination or helical pitch, while each member of the other pair comprises blades also having portions of pposite inclination or pitch but disposed in the reverse sense to that of the first mentioned pair and having an interruption towards the middle plane of the trough.

The invention also consists in a machine for mixing, kneading, shredding or pulping, having a pair of arcuate troughs separated by a saddle piece, each trough accommodating a bladed element having the features set out in the preceding three paragraphs.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bladed element according to the invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the element, and

Figure 3' is a diagrammatic plan view of a mixing or like machine with the improved bladed element in position.

I-n carrying the invention into effect according to-one mode a machine is provided having a pair of arcuate troughs I, T separated by a saddlepiece 3 according to known construction and each hav ing axially arrangedbearings for one of a pair or bladed elements 5-, 6. The bladed elements according to one form of the invention as described by Way of example, comprise trunnion members 1 adapted to be accommodated in the bearings i referred" to, the inner ends of the trunnions having bosses 8 upon which the blades of ""ie elements are mounted. The blades are of'bar form to afford clearances towards the axes of the troughs for the movement of the material under treatment Each of one pair of blades 9 with which the elements are provided is mounted upon or: is integral with a projecting lug or: piece it extending axially and radially from. thee inner end of each" of: the trunnion bosses 87. Each of these blades 9 is continuous between the two supporting lugs ill and is bent or articulated at H in the region of the middle plane. Thus each half or portion of the blade on the opposite sides of the middle plane is inclined or is of helical form of opposite hand. As viewed, in plane each blade 9 is similar to that of a Wide open V, the arrangement being such that in the rotational sense the pointed end or angle II of the V leads and consequently the material dealt with by the helical sides of the blade is dispersed axially away from the middle plane. The disposition of the lug mounting Iii referred to above affords a clearance between the ends of this pair of blades and the ends i2 of the trough so that the material axially displaced by the V shape of the blades can pass out of the path of said blades through the clearances or passages afforded at their ends.

The other pair of blades i3 i mounted on radial ribs or projections i4 extending from the cylindrical surface of the bosses 8. In this case each of the pair constitutes in effect two blades or such may be viewed as a single blade interrupted in the region of the middle plane. For example, each blade portion extends from the boss towards the middle plane and as it approaches said plane it is bent or turned inwardly to form a supporting or uniting cross member l5 with a similar blade portion upon the opposite side of the axis of the pair.

The blade portions of the blades IS on one side of the middle plane are of similar helical or inclined form or shape but are of opposite hand or inclination. The cross-piece I5 unites the interrupted portions of the blades and afiords a supporting structure in the form of an X, the legs of which aflord a passage or clearanc adjacent the middle plane so that the material displaced or condensed towards the said planes escapes through said clearance out of the path of these blades. The portions of the blades I3 are of opposite inclination to the corresponding portions of the blades 9.

As the two pairs of blades 9 and I3 are oppositely disposed it will be appreciated that the material operated upon in the troughs I and 2 is given an axial displacement alternately towards and away from the middle plane.

By the arrangement of the clearances at the ends of the bladed elements and at the middlev planeand with the opposite or reversed inclination of the blades, the material diverted or dispersed away from the middle plane by the blades 9 will pass through the end clearances and be caught up by the next following blade I3 and brought towards the middle clearance, which in turn will allow the material to pass through to be operated upon by the advancing point of the following V-shaped blade portion 9.

Although it is preferred to support one pair of bar form blades at the ends and the other pair at the ends and connected atthe middle, the blades may be of plate form having interstices and apertures to allow more or less free passage 7 of the material under treatment.

The pitch of the helical form of the blades may l. A bladed element adapted for rotation within the trough of a mixing, kneading, shredding or pulping machine, comprising axially spaced trunnions, bosses on the inner ends of the trunnion, two pairs of blades integral with said bosses, said plates adapted to cooperate with a fixed saddle piece located in said trough,-the blades of one pair being continuous and terminating short of the ends of the trough and having portions of opposite inclination so as to form a substantial V, the blades of the other pair having portions of opposite inclination but disposed in the reverse sense to the first pair and extending to the ends of the trough but interrupted adjacent the middle plane of the trough and an integral piece of X-shape formation arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the blades connecting the adjacent ends of the interrupted blades together.

2. A bladed element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blades are helically inclined and are provided with serrated edges.

3. A machine for mixing, kneading, shredding or pulping, comprising a. pair of intersecting arcuate troughs, a saddle piece located at the intersection of said troughs, a bladed element located in each trough for rotation therein, each element comprising axially spaced trunnions, bosses on the inner ends of the trunnions, two pairs of blades integral with said bosses, said blades adapted to cooperate with said saddle piece, the blades of one pair being continuous and terminating short of the ends of the trough and having portions of opposite inclination forming a substantial V, the blades of the other pair having portions of opposite inclination but disposed in a reverse sense to the first pair and extending to the ends of the trough but interrupted adjacent the middle plane of the trough and an integral piece of X-shap arranged in a plane parallel to the axis of the blades and connecting the adjacent ends of the interrupted portions of the blades together.

JOHN EDWARD POIN'ION. 

